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We Love Bristol

O2 Academy Bristol has been hosting quality live shows from the brightest new acts and classic performers, and nights from the biggest club brands, since 2001 when it opened with a sell-out performance from Ocean Colour Scene. The venue’s history stretches back to November 1966, when it opened as the ABC cinema as part of a huge entertainment hub called The New Bristol Centre and was also known as the ‘Rock’, Bristol’s super-club, for a short period before opening as the Academy.

Bristol is renowned for its vibrant music scene and O2 Academy Bristol has provided plenty of memorable moments and iconic performances to support this reputation. In the first year of opening the quality of artists playing spoke volumes with Faithless, Ian Brown, Gorillaz all performing and in May 2002 DJ Shadow was joined by Radiohead’s Thom Yorke for a live rendition of ‘Rabbit In Your Headlights’. Elbow, Kendrick Lamar, Foals, Arcade Fire, Amy Winehouse and Kings of Leon have all performed at O2 Academy Bristol over the years and some of the biggest club names and DJs have played to sold-out crowds. Annie Mac presents, One Nation, Bedlam and Sidewinder are regulars at the venue alongside resident club night Ramshackle, Bristol’s notorious weekly rave featuring guest DJs and an eclectic mash up of all that's good in music.

2001

The Academy lands in the city in November, opening with a live set from mod-rockers Ocean Colour Scene

2003

Kings of Leon played one of their first major UK dates at the Academy in 2003 as part of a small tour

2005

Massive Attack and Portishead came together for two nights to raise money for victims of the Tsunami. Support acts included Robert Plant and Damon Albarn

2006

The venue has its fifth birthday and a 12 hour long celebration with a retrospective photo exhibition, a battle of the bands and Zane Lowe DJ set

2009

Babyshambles play a one-off charity gig in support of Teenage Cancer Trust. The Who frontman Roger Daltrey joined Pete on stage playing ‘My Generation’

2015

The Libertines, Tyler The Creator, Alkaline Trio, James Bay, Kid Ink and The Charlatans all play at O2 Academy Bristol

O2 Academy Bristol is the trading name of Academy Music Group Limited
Registered in the UK
Company number: 3463738
VAT number: 710648159